Hot bed



Jan. 19, 1932. A. VAN DAMME ET AL 1,841,509

HOT BED 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Ap ril e, 1951 Indeniors d. Va/z Jam/m5 Mala/mar By Wm A Horney Jan; 19, 1932.

A. VAN DAMME ET AL HOT BED Filed April 6,1931 2 Sheets-Sheet Inveniofl Van Jjamme/ A ilomey Patented Jan. 19, 1932 nor BED Application. filed April 6, 1931.'

This invention relates to a hot bed and has for an ii'nportantobject to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a device of this character which is particularly adapted 5. for use by small plant growers as a seed germinator and propagating bed.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a hot bed of the aforementioned character which will be simple in construction,

strong, durable, efficient and reliable in use, economical to operate and which may be manufactured at lowcost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the fol lowing specification, taken in connection with e accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and

wherein 1 Figure 1 is a plan view of a device constructed in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is a view in side elevation of the device.

Figure 3 is a detail view partly in elevation and partly in longitudinal section showing a portion of one of the electric heating elements;

Figure 4 is a detail view in showing an end portion of one of the channeled frame members which receive the heat ing elements.

Figure 5 is a view in vertical cross section through one of the frame members showing the heating elements disposed in position in the channels therein.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary detail view in perspective showing a modified form of the construction of the device.

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6 showing another modification.

Referring to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that the reference numeral 1 designates generally a substantially rectangular, skeleton frame which comprises the outer longitudinal members 2 and 3, the end cross members 4 and 5, the inner cross member 6 which extends between the members 2 and 3 adjacent to and spaced from. the end cross member 4 and the inner longitudinal memperspective are the heating elements 9, th

Serial No. 528,118.

bers'7 which are disposed in spaced paral- I lelism with each other and whichextend between intermediate portions of the end cross member 5 and the intermediate or inner cross he cross members extend tween the longitudinal side members 2 and 3, and have their ends rigidly connected thereto in any suitable manner.

The frame 1 is provided grooves 01' channels which adjacent the center said grooves or channels e grooves or channels being designated by the reference numeral 8. ach heating element 9 comprises a resistance wire 10 of suitable gauge which is enclosed in asbestos 11 which, in turn, is enclosed in the metal sheath 12.

floor flange 13 is mounted on the inner side of the end nected thereto one end of a flexible conduit 14 which extends upwardly therefrom and (not shown) from a suitable source of electric current sup? 7 ply are, ofcourse, connected to the control 15 and conductor wires frame 1.

, The frame 1.may be formed from members 16 (see Figure 6) bular metal of subthe heating elements. The vertical sides of the members 17 are provided with inturned flanges 19 which terminate in upturned lips for strengthening the members 17.

placed on the ground and covered with dirt to the desired depth in a which theseed is planted. Heat from the elements 9 may then be had to the desired cross member 4 and has condegree through the medium of the control switch 15. The heating elements 9 may be used simultaneously or separately as desired.

It is believed that the many advantages of a device constructed in accordance with this invention will be readily understood, and although the preferred embodiment of the invention is as illustrated and described, it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction may be had which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is 1- 1. A device of the character described comprising a horizontally disposed frame of substantially rectangular form and including longitudinal side members, a pair of end cross members, an intermediate cross memher, and a pair of intermediate longitudinal members extending between the intermediate cross member and one of the end cross members, all of said members having communicating grooves in their upper sides, electric heating elements disposed in the grooves, means electrically connecting the elements with. a source of electric current supply, said means including a control switch.

2. A device of the character described comprising a horizontally disposed skeleton frame formed of inverted channel members, said channel members having their tops formed to provide spaced, parallel, communicating grooves, electric heating elements disposed in the grooves, and means for electrically connecting the heating elements with a source of electric current supply, said means including a control switch.

3. A device of the character described comprising a horizontally disposed skeleton frame formed of inverted channel members, said channel members having their tops formed to provide spaced, parallel, communicating grooves, electric heating elements disposed in the grooves, and means for electrically connecting the heating elements with a source of electric current supply, said means including a control switch, integral, inturned flanges on the free longitudinal edges of the inverted channel members, and upturned lips on the inner edges of the inturned flanges.

4s A device of the character described com prising a substantially rectangular, horizontally disposed skeleton frame, maid frame including longitudinal side members and transverse end members extending between the end portions of the side members, the frame further including an intermediate cross mem ber extending between the side members adjacent one of the end members and in spaced, parallel relation thereto, the frame still furthor including spaced, parallel, longitudinal intermediate members extending between the intermediate cross member and the other end member and disposed inwardly of the side members in spaced parallelism therewith,

electric heating elements extending around the members constituting the frame, and means for connecting the heating elements with a source of electric current supply.

In testimony whereof we afiix our signa tures.

AUGUST VAN DAMME. HARRY MAENNER. 

